Good advice above.

One other thing comes to mind: practice capsizing and righting the boat. Practice that a lot, it takes away a lot of anxiety when you know that you know how to right the boat, and have practiced. Especially if you can learn from experienced people willing to go out with you and show you the ropes (our Hobie fleet does this).

Also, don't even think about sailing in heavy air until you've mastered the boat in light and moderate breeze.

These are things that I wish I had done myself when I started out...

Mike

BTW: The only way I've seen a H16 go over backwards is when tacking in heavy air (over 20 knots), and not having enough weight forward, usually compounded by not releasing one of the sails from the cleat (the jib will also cause you to capsize, on any boat).